Association of German Cities sees potential public transport savings primarily in rural areas
The Städtetag Rheinland-Pfalz considers cuts in public transport for cost reasons most likely in rural areas, because there are relatively few passengers between villages. In the very rural regions there is probably the greatest need and also the potential for savings, said the managing director, Lisa Diener, to the German Press Agency in Mainz. In urban areas, the passenger numbers are higher.
"And the passenger numbers will be the criterion, whether in rural or urban areas."
Diener also knows that a reduction of the recently expanded services in many rural areas is not without conflict.
"There is a certain goal conflict." It takes time for a transport service to become established and it is expensive. "But we are in a time where we no longer have the money to offer that."
Public Transport Index to be Introduced in 2025
It's not about canceling entire routes, but rather looking at whether, for instance, during times of the day when not many people are traveling, every second bus should run on the respective connection. Mobility Minister Katrin Eder (Greens) had expressed a similar view recently. She emphasized, following considerable criticism, that it is by no means about the outright elimination of ten percent of all bus routes.
It is a fact that the costs for public transport have significantly increased in many areas in recent years.
"And the costs continue to rise," said Diener.
Energy has become much more expensive, as has personnel due to wage increases. Personnel costs will increase further in the future due to the so-called public transport index, which is planned for the next year and, from the perspective of the Association of Cities, should only apply to new contracts. Whether the index should apply just to new or also to existing contracts is currently still under discussion. The index is intended to help the public sector offset cost increases for the industry to some extent.
Demand for a Subsidy Program for E-Buses
What is still forthcoming is the issue of vehicle renewal, explained Diener. The law on the procurement of clean road vehicles, which also concerns buses and thereby municipal fleets, requires certain quotas of vehicles with alternative drives. However, an electric bus is about three times as expensive as one with a diesel engine. The costs do not stop at the vehicles themselves. The depot also needs to be adapted for the operation with e-buses, which brings, for example, different requirements for fire protection.
A major center in the state calculated that the adaptation of the depot there alone costs 50 million euros, Diener said.
"And in Rhineland-Palatinate, as one of the few federal states, we have absolutely no subsidy program for this."
This makes it doubly difficult for municipalities in Rhineland-Palatinate.
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